VitalMTB has just posted up a press release regarding Brendon Fairclough's departure from Monster Specialized. I guess this is the first one of @teamrumours to come true, well part of it anyway; Giant needs to pick up Brendawg for it to fully come to fruition.

November 1, 2011 - After four successful seasons with Monster Energy race programs, it's come time to announce that Brendan Fairclough (GBR) is moving on following the conclusion of the 2011 race season.

Team manager Sean Heimdal discussed the fun that "Brendawg" brings to the track every week. "Brendan’s charisma on and off the bike will be missed. There’s not many riders as talented in the world that are as much fun to watch on a bike. His style speaks volumes of the fun you know he’s always having." Heimdal added: "Brendan's been riding in the shadows of the world's fastest riders for his entire career, now it's time for him to rise up and take his racing to another level. We all wish him the best with his ACL recovery this off-season and look forward to seeing him throwing it sideways in 2012."

Brendan was retrospective when speaking about his years with the team. "Right then, this is a bit sad for me to be honest. The last four years of my life I've been riding for debatably the most professional and decorated team on the circuit. It's been amazing and I have been treated very well and have some amazing memories. I have seen the team change over the years all for the better and will be sad to leave. I’ve been fortunate to have a good opportunity that I want to take up for 2012, will be a change, but change can be good. I will be stealing a lot from what I have learned over the last four years from the whole team and putting it into my 2012 preparation."

Brendan's final parting words; "Good luck to the team, Sam and Troy... mostly for when I come back next year with two good legs to stand on the podium with them!"